Vegetative propagation trial of Carapa procera CD (Meliaceae), a spontaneous species with multiple uses (Daloa, Central-West, Côte d'Ivoire)

Carapa procera, a species with numerous cosmetic and therapeutic virtues, is plagued by excessive use of its seeds for the extraction of its oil, considerably limiting its seminal regeneration. In order to contribute to its preservation, trials were conducted using three modes of vegetative propagation for 60 days. Stem cuttings included three types, 6 cm, 12 cm and 20 cm cuttings. Stump propagation included three sizes, 8 cm, 14 cm and 20 cm. Layering was carried out at two levels, basal (1.5-2 cm from the ground) and median. The trial design was a completely randomized block design with three replications for each mode. Stem cuttings were inconclusive, with only a 3.33% survival rate for 20 cm long cuttings, but no viable offsets. The 6 cm and 12 cm long cuttings did not survive long. Similarly, the aerial cuttings did not produce any roots. In contrast, the stumps vigorously rejected the three lengths tested (8, 14 and 20 cm), with success rates ranging from 70 to 87% with no significant difference between treatments (p > 0.05). At the present stage of the study, stump cuttings remain the best way of vegetative propagation for the domestication of Carapa procera.